Cigar tasting sugestions

[buck]

I used to watch this guy's video reviews when I first started smoking.

Interesting video, provides some helpful hints on how to smoke a cigar to get more flavor.
Also interesting was his poll question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PClrRhuE50&sns=em

 

[Gdaddy]

One of the biggest influences on the flavor of the cigar is you. The PH of your mouth can have a big influence on taste buds.

I've smoked a cigar and found it to be great one night and then, for some unknown reason, a few nights later the same cigar is not as good. We have a tendency to blame the cigar when it probably is our mouth to blame.

From what I've read, the ph of your mouth can play a big role. For my likes I find coffee w/sugar to be the best compliment when smoking. Cigar smoke is a tad more alkaline than cigarettes. Coffee w/ brown sugar is quite acidic. So could the reason that they pair so well is one balances out the other? A drink of coffee creates an acidic mouth which then receives an alkaline cigar smoke and magic happens. Liquor, wine, beer, soda are all considered to be acidic and are usually listed as favorite drinks on a pairing with cigars. Milk chocolate, molasses, brown sugar are acidic as well.

So it would appear that acidic is good. However, many people including Brian Glenn in the video like to drink water. David Garafalo and the guys on Cigar authority also drink water which is neutral ph. I've heard them mention that water is a good cleanser between cigars. Personally I don't like plain water when smoking a cigar.

Along the lines of this thinking my recent favorite drink with a cigar is lemonade. Very acidic and It seems to really enhance the flavors of the cigar. Give it a try and see what happens.

 

[waikikigun]

That's very interesting. Yeah I don't find water does much for me;whereas espresso and booze both work great. I always thought of it from the alkaloid intoxication blending perspective rather than the acidic-alkaline.

Something along the lines of a whiskey sour is probably my #1 choice from a taste blending perspective. Liquor, citrus, sugar....

 

[deluxestogie]

Creme de cacao is a sweet, chocolate liquor that seems to unlock the flavors of cigars. A tiny glass of it, with a single ice cube is sipped slowly, while smoking. I've never found anything more magical.

Bob

 

[waikikigun]

I have some of that in the bar. I'll give it a shot. Might also try a drop in espresso.

 

[Birage]

Good info, and good suggestions. I've always wondered how some days all my cigars taste like crap. Every now and then I will go through five or six cigars, smoking a little bit, putting it out, going to the next, then waving the white flag and just forgetting about smoking cigars at that time. Thinking to myself, what the heck is going on, I've just fired up the best smokes I have and for some reason I can't stand any of them! Next day, it's all different. I remember at the time being a bit scared, thinking OMG am I loosing my tastes for cigars......I got buckets full in the humidor, plus this is one of my main hobbies, and now I can't stand them!! Thankfully it doesn't last. But, I may try some of these libation suggestions which may bring me around when that happens.

 

[webmost]

Slow down and smell the rosado...

 

[buck]

I know that when I first started smoking I couldn't taste beyond just plain smoke mostly but on one occasion managed to get a burst of sweetness like honey from one cigar.
I think it was a Casa Magna, but was unable to get the same taste when I smoked the another one. I've progressed since then and I start noticing the spice, chocolate and espresso from some cigars, more often but not always consistent. So from a 4 on Glen's list I think I'm at 3 now or between 2-3.

I'll try the suggestions listed and see if it helps.
[h=3][/h]

 

[DIY Pete]

I was once told by an experienced cigar smoker to fire up two cigars at once. The two sticks should be similar in blend and wrapper but not the same. Alternate cigars each puff, first one then the other and try and pick out the flavor differences. It's supposedly a good way to train your pallet to pick out subtle differences in taste. I've never tried it so I can't comment on the method but it does make sense.

You can do the same thing with one cigar alternating two different drinks every couple off puffs. That I have tried and the difference in the taste of the cigar is significant in some cases.

Pete

 

[webmost]

It's supposedly a good way to train your pallet ...

You cannot train a pallet, Pete. They pretty much just lay there. At least, that's the word here on skid row. Now, you can load a pallet in a train; but I don't think that's the kind of train you meant.

 

[DIY Pete]

I know I spelled it right because it didn't have a red line under the word.

Spell check has made me lazy.

Pete

 

[webmost]

I know I spelled it right because it didn't have a red line under the word.

Spell check has made me lazy.

Pete

I know what you mean... I ought to have written "lie there"; but there is no grammar check.

 

[Chicken]

Well once again..I learn something from this site..I had no clue "" that what your drinking could have a adverse effect on the taste of a cigar""..

I only drink. Beer so I wonder what my pallet would make a cigar taste like???

Although last night I tried a "" angry orchard"" beer..and I must say.i liked it

 

[Gdaddy]

Creme de cacao is a sweet, chocolate liquor that seems to unlock the flavors of cigars. A tiny glass of it, with a single ice cube is sipped slowly, while smoking. I've never found anything more magical.

Bob

I remember my parents always served this as a cordial at dinner parties. Have long forgotten it. When I saw this post I stopped by the store and got a bottle. It is indeed an excellent companion with the cigar.

It reminds me very much of the Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa. Another one to try...

 

[ArizonaDave]

They both look like they'd pair nicely. I personally might try the infusion route.

 

[ladaok]

Good info, and good suggestions. I've always wondered how some days all my cigars taste like crap. Every now and then I will go through five or six cigars, smoking a little bit, putting it out, going to the next, then waving the white flag and just forgetting about smoking cigars at that time. Thinking to myself, what the heck is going on, I've just fired up the best smokes I have and for some reason I can't stand any of them! Next day, it's all different. I remember at the time being a bit scared, thinking OMG am I loosing my tastes for cigars......I got buckets full in the humidor, plus this is one of my main hobbies, and now I can't stand them!! Thankfully it doesn't last. But, I may try some of these libation suggestions which may bring me around when that happens.

looks to me you have a fist ful of experience with flavours,
I have a few good leaf types, I want to expand my larder
could you list your favourites buy binder filler wrapper and country ??

if anyone else would like to pitch in ... please do so

 

[dvick003]

In addition to the other liquids here, I picked up a bottle of Bird Dog Chocolate Whiskey. I know it's cheap but boy, does it go amazing with a cigar...

 

[charlie G.]

Every once in a while I have 2 fingers of Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon with 2 cubes when I light up a cigar.
I found it goes good with the blends I usually smoke.

 

[ArizonaDave]

Every once in a while I have 2 fingers of Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon with 2 cubes when I light up a cigar.
I found it goes good with the blends I usually smoke.

Charlie G., that sounds good. I might pick up some, and use a little for infusing too

 

[LewZephyr]

I enjoy a nice glass of Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year with an ice sphere.
Something about the notes produced from the finish in the sherry cask really calls to me.